This is life

 I remember the first day 

The first time

The exact  place 

The precise moment 

The reason

I had to go, out wearing a mask.

I felt a trifle strange 

Rather embarrassed and odd

Believing all eyes would be on me.

In reality

No one bothered.

In fact

Most looked away

Or down at their feet

Believing everyone was looking at them!

A cough or a sneeze spelt danger

A sore throat or a cold spelt doom

Add in a body ache for good measure 

And you were avoided

Like the plague.

Days moved into weeks and

Weeks into  months- years

Masks and gloves were hot topics

And no one left the house 'uncovered'

The pandemic ruled

With a ferocity unparalleled 

In our lifetime.

It was hell and mayhem interwoven 

And humanity was at it's wits end.

Those afflicted

Were not sure if

They would live to see another sunrise 

Many didn't. 

Tears, lamenting, gnashing of teeth

Death.

And then today

I felt the joy of going maskless at last!

Suddenly 

There is a sense of freedom

Of immense relief 

I hope it lasts.

But many are  still wary

Still on their guard

Still not sure 

And who can blame them?

We have had it bad

'He is on a ventilator'

'She is critical'

' He has been admitted to hospital'

'She is no more'

Sentences that left us reeling

Words that left us speechless.

It will take time

To come to terms with 

What we have been through 

It will take time and courage

To go maskless 

It will take time

But it will happen

We will heal 

This is how things work 

This is life.

MG

Certainly not rocket science

 

A few tips for success.

Wake early 

Either do some reading or writing within the first 15 minutes- it gets the mind alert and working - wordle too!

Spend some time 'thinking' and 'planning'. We are so busy that  we hardly spend any time thinking . It's one mad rush.

Slow down. Life is not a sprint  or a non stop competition.  

It's more like a marathon, so pace yourself.

You can't do everything so learn to delegate. Don't worry about someone else doing the job better than you . 

If they do it then they deserve your post. 

Hence keep learning and be ahead of the game. 

Stop micro managing all the time- give people space.

Give others time to learn ,improve and deliver. 

Don't be harsh on colleagues or subordinates or on yourself for that matter!

Set reasonable targets and give sufficient time 

Be kind - it costs nothing, and releases your endorphins ,as well giving you a feel good factor.

Try and help someone when you get the opportunity.  It can be a ' small help' but it could often 'make someone's day' a little brighter. 

You don't have to be the best looking , the best dressed or the most popular to do well in life.

Forget fate and destiny. Those are excuses to make for lazy slackers. Go ahead and plan your own life.

Luck has a part, but hard work never fails.

Be consistent. 

Wake up, dress up and show up for work regularly ,irrespective of your mood. Don't make excuses to miss a day's work. Bad bosses come and go.

Family first - slot the others in as you desire.

Save for the future. It's never too early to start. 

Your first job may pay you a paltry sum but it's better than nothing . It gives you valuable experience for the future.

My first job paid me about 500 rupees - I have that appointment letter stored somewhere. I must share it.

I worked hard and was not always satisfied.  Like so many other,  I too had a few bad experiences with superiors and bosses along the way, but I dug in for the long haul and came through with a few scars to prove it.

I  avoided taking leave, worked through innumerable summer vacations to earn more and kept taking on more responsibilities while learning on the job.

I observed others closely and gained valuable leadership experience.

I learnt what NOT to do as a leader.

There is one thing you must do- be THANKFUL .

Today I enjoy sharing those experiences and tips with others.

Pain

 Can we actually feel

Another's pain , sorrow or suffering?

No one truly knows what it's like.

It could be anything 

But with our guess work 

And misplaced sense of importance 

We don't even come close.

It's so very easy to sympathise 

While throwing empathy aside

Haven't we all been the receipents of 

" It will get better soon"

" You will get over it "

" Don't worry - it's nothing "

" Cheer up "

" Good times are round the corner"

" Look on the bright side"

" It could have been worse"

" Don't stress"

Not to forget the clichéd 

" Every cloud has a silver lining"

Have also had a pseudo intellectual 

Come up and say to me some years ago

" When winter comes ,can spring 

be far behind" 

These words and phrases

Flow effortless off the tongue.

People may genuinely mean them

Or they may just be glib talk 

But the next time 

When an opportunity presents itself 

Think before you utter them

Because misplaced sympathy

Is as counter productive 

As negative empathy.

No one can truly feel another's pain.